Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated medical device that includes a stiffening stylet for portions of a catheter along with attachment features for improved functionality and packaging of the catheter system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated medical device that includes a stiffening stylet for portions of a catheter along with attachment features for improved functionality and packaging of the catheter system.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: Method for implanting a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube in a patient and access needle for use in the method. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing an access needle wherein the distal end of the stylet extends distally for an appreciable distance beyond the distal end of the cannula; (b) inserting the stylet, but not the cannula, into the jejunum; (c) grabbing the stylet with an endoscopically-positioned snare; (d) anchoring the jejunum against the abdominal wall using the snared stylet; (e) loosening the snare slightly while advancing the cannula into the jejunum and into the loosened snare; (f) tightening the snare around the cannula; (g) removing the stylet from the cannula; (h) inserting a guide wire or suture through the cannula into the jejunum; and (i) proceeding in the conventional fashion to implant a PEJ tube into the patient using the guide wire or suture.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for preparing a patient for an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The endoscopic preparation and examination system includes an endoscope, a source of irrigation and aspiration, and a control unit. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible shaft with a distal tip and a proximal end, at least one aspiration lumen and at least one irrigation lumen. A plurality of irrigation ports are functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen and a plurality of aspiration ports are functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing an obstructed view in a patient prior to, or during an endoscopic examination.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including a multi-piece connector. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a PEG implanting assembly comprising a tubular dilator and a silicone feeding tube having an internal bolster at its rear end. The assembly also comprises a multi-piece connector comprising an inner ring, a fitting and an outer ring. The inner ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube and is coaxially disposed within the feeding tube by a friction-fit. The fitting comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, the intermediate portion including a shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube. The front portion of the fitting is inserted through the rear end of the dilator and is secured to the dilator by a plurality of barbs.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with a medical catheter comprises a housing having a first tubular channel with a first longitudinal axis, a dial having a second tubular channel with a second longitudinal axis, and an adaptor fitting removably connected to the second tubular channel. The dial is rotatable between an open position and a closed position when the adaptor fitting is connected thereto. In the open position the first tubular channel is fluidly connected to the second tubular channel, and in the closed position the first tubular channel is not fluidly connected to the second tubular channel. The dial may be configured such that it is not rotatable between the open position and the closed position when the adaptor fitting is not connected thereto. The housing may comprise an upper housing member, an intermediate housing member, and a lower housing member.

Abstract: A low profile adaptor for use with a medical catheter. In one embodiment, the adaptor comprises a lower connector portion, an upper connector portion and a valve. The lower connector portion comprises a tubular portion and an annular portion, the annular portion radially surrounding the tubular portion along an intermediate length thereof. A helical thread is formed on the inside surface of the tubular portion. A circular lip projects upwardly a short distance from the top surface of the annular portion. The upper connector portion comprises a tubular section adapted for insertion into the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. An external helical thread is formed on the tubular section of the upper connector portion for mating engagement with the thread on the interior of the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. The upper connector portion also includes an annular base.

Abstract: Method for implanting a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube in a patient and access needle for use in the method. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing an access needle wherein the distal end of the stylet extends distally for an appreciable distance beyond the distal end of the cannula; (b) inserting the stylet, but not the cannula, into the jejunum; (c) grabbing the stylet with an endoscopically-positioned snare; (d) anchoring the jejunum against the abdominal wall using the snared stylet; (e) loosening the snare slightly while advancing the cannula into the jejunum and into the loosened snare; (f) tightening the snare around the cannula; (g) removing the stylet from the cannula; (h) inserting a guide wire or suture through the cannula into the jejunum; and (i) proceeding in the conventional fashion to implant a PEJ tube into the patient using the guide wire or suture.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: A low profile adaptor for use with a medical catheter. In one embodiment, the adaptor comprises a lower connector portion, an upper connector portion and a valve. The lower connector portion comprises a tubular portion and an annular portion, the annular portion radially surrounding the tubular portion along an intermediate length thereof. A helical thread is formed on the inside surface of the tubular portion. A circular lip projects upwardly a short distance from the top surface of the annular portion. The upper connector portion comprises a tubular section adapted for insertion into the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. An external helical thread is formed on the tubular section of the upper connector portion for mating engagement with the thread on the interior of the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. The upper connector portion also includes an annular base.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: A low profile adaptor for use with a medical catheter. In one embodiment, the adaptor comprises a lower connector portion, an upper connector portion and a valve. The lower connector portion comprises a tubular portion and an annular portion, the annular portion radially surrounding the tubular portion along an intermediate length thereof. A helical thread is formed on the inside surface of the tubular portion. A circular lip projects upwardly a short distance from the top surface of the annular portion. The upper connector portion comprises a tubular section adapted for insertion into the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. An external helical thread is formed on the tubular section of the upper connector portion for mating engagement with the thread on the interior of the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. The upper connector portion also includes an annular base.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including a safety Y-port adaptor. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) assembly and includes a PEG tube, the PEG tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal conduit. An internal bolster is disposed at the distal end of the PEG tube. The safety Y-port adaptor includes a tubular first arm, a tubular second arm and a tubular third arm, each of the second and third arms being in fluid communication with the first arm. The first arm is coupled to the proximal end of the PEG tube and is fluid communication therewith. A first anti-reflux valve is disposed within the second arm, and a second anti-reflux valve is disposed within the third arm. The anti-reflux valves may be positioned within their respective arms so that each may be biased open by the insertion of a dispensing tip into the arm.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including a multi-piece connector. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a PEG implanting assembly comprising a tubular dilator and a silicone feeding tube having an internal bolster at its rear end. The assembly also comprises a multi-piece connector comprising an inner ring, a fitting and an outer ring. The inner ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube and is coaxially disposed within the feeding tube by a friction-fit. The fitting comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, the intermediate portion including a shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube. The front portion of the fitting is inserted through the rear end of the dilator and is secured to the dilator by a plurality of barbs.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including a multi-piece connector. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a PEG implanting assembly comprising a tubular dilator and a silicone feeding tube having an internal bolster at its rear end. The assembly also comprises a multi-piece connector comprising an inner ring, a fitting and an outer ring. The inner ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube and is coaxially disposed within the feeding tube by a friction-fit. The fitting comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, the intermediate portion including a shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube. The front portion of the fitting is inserted through the rear end of the dilator and is secured to the dilator by a plurality of barbs.

Abstract: Low profile adaptor for use with gastrostomy feeding tube. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor comprises a disc-shaped housing, the housing being provided with a bottom opening and a side slot, the side slot having a uniform width, except for an enlarged area at one end thereof. A tube is disposed within the housing, the tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal bore. The first end is aligned with the bottom opening and is adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of a gastrostomy feeding tube. A ratchet-type clamp is disposed within the housing and is used to secure the gastrostomy feeding tube to the first end of the tube. A lateral slot is formed in the tube at its second end and is in fluid communication with the longitudinal bore. A dial is disposed within the housing and is rotatably mounted on the second end of the tube, the dial including a radial channel.

Abstract: A device for externally retaining a gastrostomy feeding tube comprises a clip. In one embodiment, the clip is a generally rectangular, unitary structure shaped to include a first end wall, a second end wall spaced apart from and extending parallel to the first end wall, a lower wall extending perpendicularly between and interconnecting the first end wall and the second end wall, and an upper wall having a first end connected to the first end wall and a second end spaced apart from the second end wall. The first end wall, the second end wall, the lower wall and the upper wall together define a tubing storage cavity, with the space between the upper wall and the second end wall defining an inlet to the tubing storage cavity. The first end wall has a top surface, a bottom surface and a bore extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.